Thursday Night Read
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | MI
In Nuclear War: A Scenario, Annie Jacobsen gives us a vivid picture of what could happen if our nuclear guardians fail…Terrifying.”—Wall Street Journal

There is only one scenario other than an asteroid strike that could end the world as we know it in a matter of hours: nuclear war. And one of the triggers for that war would be a nuclear missile inbound toward the
United States.
Every generation, a journalist has looked deep into the heart of the nuclear military establishment: the technologies, the safeguards, the plans, and the risks. These investigations are vital to how we understand the world we really live in—where one nuclear missile will beget one in return, and where the choreography of the world’s end requires massive decisions made on seconds’ notice with information that is only as good as the intelligence we have.
Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen’s Nuclear War: A Scenario explores this ticking-clock scenario, based on dozens of exclusive new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, have been privy to the response plans, and have been responsible for those decisions should they have needed to be made. Nuclear War: A Scenario examines the handful of minutes after a nuclear missile launch. It is essential reading, and unlike any other book in its depth and urgency.

The wretched of the earth, by frantz fanon
2026-07-18 13:00 - 16:00
The Wretched of the Earth
By Frantz Fanon
Published in 1961, The Wretched of the Earth is Frantz Fanon’s powerful examination of colonialism, liberation, identity, and nation-building. Drawing from his experiences during the Algerian struggle for independence, Fanon explores the psychological and social damage caused by colonial rule and the challenges faced by societies seeking freedom.
Fanon argues that colonialism extends beyond political domination; it shapes how people see themselves and others. Through language, culture, and institutions, colonial systems create identities of “coloniser” and “colonised,” reinforcing relationships of power and subordination. These imposed identities influence both the oppressor and the oppressed, affecting personal and collective mental well-being.
The book also examines nationalism, revolutionary movements, and the role of intellectuals in social change. Fanon challenges traditional political thinking by arguing that successful liberation movements must engage those often overlooked by society, particularly the rural poor and marginalized populations. He believed these groups possessed the independence and determination necessary to challenge colonial structures and drive meaningful change.
One of the book’s most influential sections, “On National Culture,” emphasizes the responsibility of each generation to identify its mission and contribute to the advancement of its people. Fanon argues that true liberation requires not only political independence but also cultural renewal, self-awareness, and a commitment to building a just society.
More than six decades after its publication, The Wretched of the Earth remains a foundational text for discussions on power, identity, leadership, liberation, and the enduring effects of historical systems of domination.
